Management Tip of the Day: Performance review blues?

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

BOSTON (Reuters) - It’s performance review season, and you know the drill. Drag each of your direct reports into a conference room, hand them an official-looking document, and then start in with the same, tired conversation. There has to be a better way, says Harvard Business Review.

The Management Tip of the Day offers quick, practical management tips and ideas from Harvard Business Review and HBR.org (http:\\www.hbr.org). Any opinions expressed are not endorsed by Reuters.

“Which is worse: receiving a performance review, or giving one? At least with the latter you have some control.

When you’re the one conducting the review, try doing these three things to make it a productive experience.

1. Set expectations early. Make employee-evaluation practices clear at the beginning of the year with individual performance planning sessions.

2. Set the right tone. Everyone hates the “feedback sandwich”: compliments, criticism, then more niceties. Deliver a positive message to your good performers by mainly concentrating on their strengths and achievements. Confront poor performers and demand improvement.

3. Avoid money talk. If possible, don’t mention compensation during the review; but if you must, divulge the salary information at the start of the conversation.”